Sick Building Syndrome? Not me... No, couldn't be. I'm Dead Wrong.

May 3, 2005

You have all been a world of support and I'd like to thank you for

educating me. There are people at the early stages of discovery,

where I was 5 years ago, who have been calling their condition

a " mystery illness " . I'm here to tell you to act on instinct and

don't doubt what your body is telling you. If you don't mind, I'd

like to share some of my story. Please forgive the length but I

have a lot to get off my shoulders!

I began a position in a large corporation in April, 2000 (I was 28)

with a zest for life and an uncontrollable passion to make people

smile. By May I was canceling plans & beginning to experience early

symptoms. They were mild but ongoing and persistent. By Dec. I

began suspecting it was my workplace environment, since I had some

time to realize I felt fine on the weekends, during holidays and

vacation. The early symptoms were fatigue, confusion, swelling of

the membrane around the eye sockets, white tongue, sores at the

corners of my dry mouth and dry nose with sores.

In 2001 they moved my department to a different area of the complex,

which consists of many connected buildings. After settling in, I

contacted the facilies manager to complain that the air from the

vents was blowing directly on me. They lowered the pressure but I

remained ill. I did everything, from changing my soap, my coffee

filters, purchasing new makeup, pillow covers, mattress protectors,

changing the foods I ate, exercising more... even though I was sure

I was sick only at work.

2003 rolled around and I had my job bring in an agency for testing &

seal the vents which bought me some time, as my symptoms remained

but were tolerable. I went for allergy testing and lit up to mold,

dust & dust mites. I have lived in unkept houses & apartments

before, so I knew being sick had nothing to do with my living

conditions. There's visible water damage throughout the complex but

it wasn't until we had a flood that I began to react. The smell of

bleach followed and I learned they had simply painted over the wet

tile. Giant air dryers were brought in to dry the wet carpet &

furniture.

In April, 2005 I was promoted which involved switching to a

different building. BAM, I was instantly knocked down. As the air

flowed on my head once again, my symptoms were worsening. My

exposed skin was burning, my throat tightened, my eyes swelled & I

broke out in rashes. There was nothing I could do to get warm and

found myself going home & getting under the electric blanket despite

the outdoor temperature being 70 degrees. I had brain fog and was

confused.

I sit here tonight and hope to report back to you soon that I have

removed myself from the situation. Within 6 months this job will

take me out of that poison chamber & to a completely differnt

location. I don't know specifically what in the ventilation system

is making me ill. All I know is I want out. I am tired of hearing

friends & family ask why I am sick all of the time.

I would like to tell anyone who doubts themselves to stop. This is

all too real. I can't describe the mental anguish of not knowing

what is wrong with you. What I know is that once I could admit the

problem, I felt FREE.

I pray for you all and hope your days are filled with health and

laughter.

May 3, 2005

HI DENISE--I CAN RELATE TO MUCH OF THIS. YOU SAY YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT IN THE

ENVIRONMENT WAS MAKING YOU SICK--

I'LL BET YOU A CUP OF COFFEE THAT ITS MOLD, GIRL.

LOOK UP ASPIRGILLUS & PENICILLIUM, & ALSO STACHYBOTRYS.

TAKE CARE,

V.

[] Sick Building Syndrome? Not me... No, couldn't be.

I'm Dead Wrong.